Saud Anwar

Senator Anwar Joins Congressmen Larson, Defazio to Advocate for Transportation and Infrastructure Overhauls

EAST HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined a press conference held by U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (Connecticut’s 1st District) and Peter DeFazio (Oregon’s 4th District), the latter of whom is Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. They were also joined by Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc as the Congressmen gave details on plans for transportation and infrastructure overhauls in Connecticut and the greater Hartford region.

Larson detailed a plan he is developing to relieve traffic at the intersection of Interstates 84 and 91, which is the most congested intersection in Connecticut, second-most congested in New England and 14th-most congested in the United States. This plan, though it would be years away, aims to revamp local and regional transportation in Hartford and the surrounding area, and represents a significant opportunity for job creation and economic growth in the state.

Larson and DeFazio described the importance of this move going further than simple transportation benefits, as it would allow Hartford to reconnect parts of the city together, allow for more diverse transportation along the route possibly leading to environmental benefits, and repair levees along the Connecticut River, among other benefits.

“Prevention is better than cure,” said Sen. Anwar. “When the levees are exceeding their capacity and the risk of long-term impact is growing, we need to develop preventative strategies. We also need to make sure we invest in the infrastructure in the most congested part of our state. Only by investment can we allow this region to move toward full capacity. We must invest to make sure this project, with the help of the federal government, can move forward.”